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The competition consisted of a visual merchandising category and a store design category; it also provided an excellent opportunity for students to obtain real-life retail design experience. Prizes included grants to students and schools, and winning students may even see their designs come to life. This annual competition is geared toward college-level students involved in retail planning, visual merchandising, and branding programs. Judging took place on November 8, 2016 at FRCH Design Worldwide located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“Kroger is very proud to once again sponsor the 2016 PAVE International Student Design Competition. This year's project submissions reflect a remarkably high degree of engagement and design talent representing a broad diversity of schools and design programs across the globe. We look forward to continuing our connection to the PAVE organization and with participating schools and students in coming years. Kroger congratulates each of the finalists and extends our appreciation to every student that submitted solutions for this year's competition.” - Ken Pray, Kroger Corporate Director of Store Design

Congratulations to the following PAVE 2016 Student Design Competition Winners:

Visual Merchandising Category

1st Place - $5,000 – Emma White, Appalachian State University
2nd Place - $2,500 – Katie Taylor, Appalachian State University
3rd Place - $1,500 – Rebecca Ballard, Appalachian State University

Store Design Category

School Awards for Students Placing in the Top Three of Each Category
$4,000 Appalachian State University
$1,000 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
$1,000 Humber College

This year’s winners faced a competitive field of over 400 entries, including 350 plus in the overall store design category. Challenges for this year’s competition can be found online at www.paveglobal.org

About PAVE, www.paveglobal.org Founded in 1992, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership's (PAVE) objective is to encourage students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. Additionally, PAVE seeks to encourage retail management, store planners, visual merchandisers, architects, and manufacturers to interact with and support design students. These objectives are accomplished through competitions, projects, seminars, workshops, and grants and scholarships funded by the annual Gala and other fundraising activities. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation.